Janet Wasko Article

Perhaps I am not the best analytical thinker.

Perhaps I'm not using my academic thinking cap.

While I appreciate her hard work, I did not like Janet Wasko's article.

Despite the hordes of evidence and statistical research that I feel was effectively shoved in my face with little explanation or purpose, I don't fully understand the drive behind Wasko's findings. There were definitely moments in which she analyzed changing cultural patterns and changes in Disney film patterns, but I felt as though the connection between the two was a train that was not only left behind at the station, but back in a whole other state.

Something I did like was the concept of an "othermother", which I knew was prevalent in Disney plots, but I didn't know was an official construct on it's own. I'm glad this type of figure was defined and represented in the arena because it consistently plays a huge role in films in which the main character loses their original parents. However, rather than describing the development of this character and if they were influences by culture, I was given more facts about gender roles and employment status that I simply didn't know what to do with.

As I was reading what seemed to be my three hundredth page on statistical analysis, I asked myself if I was missing the point of the piece so I referred back to what I hoped was the thesis or main topic. "This...explores narrative subtexts surrounding parenting and caregiving by systematically examining feature-length, animated Disney films. " I guess this block was checked, but I just wish there had been more inference and information than what was provided. I feel the potential for this article to be be insightful was plenty, but Wasko just missed the mark. 

How'd I get here?

Throughout my early formative years, I was never blessed with the gift that some kids have for developing a specific dream career. Unlike my classmates who knew they wanted to be pilots or doctors from a young age, I would change my mind on a seemingly hourly basis. One day I wanted to be a "cowgirl", the next day I wanted to be a professional ice cream taster, and hours after that I would call the whole family and let them know I had new goals of wanting to be the first female POTUS.

"Now what's wrong with that Jessica?" "It's good for kids to have a variety of interests!" These are the responses I imagine my millions of readers to say to me after reading those initial sentences, and for the most part, I agree! But you know how when you first see one of those Charmin toilet paper commercials and the first couple of times it's adorable, but by the tenth time you want to set the whole hoard of toilet paper behind the singing bear on fire? Well, my parents were experiencing a similar sensation up until I was around 12 or 13. On the bright side, they never set anything on fire. Working slyly in shifts, whether it was during the drive to school or at the dinner table, they slowly chipped away at my overzealous ambition until they reached the heart of what makes me happy. They let me come to the conclusion on my own that working for Disney was a great career goal and I have been working towards it ever since.

Disney as a brand is a complex one, but I wholeheartedly admire the way in which their products reach nearly every audience no matter how specific or small. While some criticize the trend of happy and magical endings, I appreciate them. For a generally children's company, Disney storytellers have never avoided the darker aspects of life. Whether it's death, abuse, or isolation, even the most successful films have preached that life is never easy. What makes them so inspiring and relatable to adults is that while they aren't afraid to show hardship,they emphasize love and the triumph of learning to be happy again.

Now I understand Mickey is one complex mouse. I took this class because I to learn more about the company, even if it has a few skeletons in their closet. I believe to love something isn't to ignore all faults, but rather to appreciate and understand the impact of them. I feel that this is the first step in a long road ahead for me, but when the going gets tough I know I'll just keep swimming.